A reflective essay from March 2016 describing an encounter in Kyoto that revealed the mindset of Japan’s next generation—physically healthy, mentally sound, and quietly confident—contrasted with the postwar ideological rigidity of legacy media.

2016-03-10

It was early in the New Year.

On our way back from walking around Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and the Maruyama Park area, we decided to have coffee at the Starbucks located on the sixth floor of the former Kyoto Hankyu, now Kyoto Marui.

The Starbucks is adjacent to a local bookstore. In the wide, straight open space in front of the entrance, there are relaxed table settings, and books that may be freely read are placed there. Since the inside of the café was full, we sat there and read the books provided. I chose Alain’s Reflections on Happiness. Next to me sat a very pleasant and beautiful female student. I asked her where she studied, and she said she was a first-year student at a pharmaceutical university in Tokyo. “Then you’ll be studying for the next five years,” I said. “Yes,” she replied. Our conversation flowed easily.

For over thirty years, ever since the physique of Japanese people changed dramatically, I have often said to those around me that, unlike before, the more academically advanced the university, the more beautiful the female students tend to be.

She said, “I like Prime Minister Abe. I think Prime Minister Abe is doing the right thing.” At that moment, I became convinced. The minds and spirits of many people like her—physically and mentally healthy, cheerful, beautiful, and destined to support Japan in the future—are the same as hers.

They are entirely different from the minds and spirits of the people working in media such as the Asahi Shimbun, which are dominated by remnants of the left that emerged from the chaos of the immediate postwar period and the turmoil of the Zenkyōtō movement.

They are people in whom a healthy mind dwells in a healthy body, and it goes without saying that they are not people who smoke cigarettes.

A friend who went to the restroom told me that the atmosphere inside and the view were also good, so I went to take a look.

Indeed, this was Kyoto.

Inside, I made eye contact with Daisuke Araki, who is now a commentator. He must have been spending the New Year in Kyoto.

I thought to myself that this, too, was Kyoto.